Early Times Report
Kishtwar, July 10: An amount of nearly Rs 15 lakh sanctioned by the Centre for taking students of government schools of Kishtwar district to excursion trips has been embezzled by the Education Department in league with the schools' authorities.
The Centre, under Rashtriya Madimik Shiksha Abyan (RMSA) had provided over Rs 15 lakh to 68 high/higher secondary schools in Kishtwar in last three years as a picnic fund. However, authorities of various schools, in nexus with officials of the Education Department, have embezzled the MONEY, as no excursion trip by any school was organized during the period when the money was transferred to heads of 68 schools.
As per the documents available with Early Times, on September 15, 2014, Chief Education Officer Kishtwar wrote to manager J&K Bank Kishtwar asking him to debit an amount of Rs 3,88,400 for excursion of 1942 students from his official account (No. 0570040500002477) and credit the same in favour of accounts of Principals/Headmasters concerned.
Later, the CEO Kishtwar transferred Rs 2,78,00 to HSS Boys Kishtwar, Rs 21,800 to HSS Binoon, Rs 17,200 to HSS Palmar, Rs 16,800 to HSS Dachhan, Rs 16,800 to GHSS Sounder, Rs 16,800 to HSS Marwah. Out of the 68 high/higher secondary schools, 12 had zero enrolment in Class 10.
Earlier for the year 2012-13, the CEO had transferred an amount of Rs 4,25,600 to heads of these schools as excursion trip for 2128 students registered in Class 10. Out of the amount, HSS Marwah got Rs 29,800, HSS Boys Kishtwar Rs 26,400, HSS Warwan Rs 24,400, HSS Dachhan Rs 19,200, HSS Binoon Rs 15,400, HSS Shirodh Rs 18,200, HSS Girls Kishtwar Rs 16,000 and HSS Sounder Rs 11,400.
For the year 2013-14, the CEO transferred an amount of Rs 6,92,600 to various heads of high/higher secondary schools on account of excursion trip for 3,463 students registered in 68 government schools.
After scrutinizing the details, it comes to fore that all the three orders from the CEO were issued within a span of one and half month during Governor's rule in the state.
The investigation carried out by Early Times found that no government school of Kishtwar arranged excursion for the students in last three years.
Many outgoing students confirmed that no excursion took place during the period. They said they were surprised to learn that government even provides FUNDS to schools for organizing picnic trips of students.
They demanded that government should order an inquiry into the embezzlement of FUNDS and must punish the officials involved in siphoning of funds meant for excursion of students. |
